FR3064950A1 - SPIRAL REFRIGERATION CONDUIT HOSTING DEVICE SUPPLIED IN AIR REFRIGERATED BY A HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION OF A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

A reception device (DA) is intended to equip a vehicle (V) comprising a heating / air conditioning (IC) system for supplying treated air to a passenger compartment (H) and comprising a cold loop (BF) suitable for cooling the vehicle. the air to be treated. This reception device (DA) comprises a housing (BD) provided with an inner face (FI) delimiting a reception space (EA), able to accommodate at least partially at least one object and comprising an electric heating circuit ( CE), and provided with a cooling duct (CR) surrounding the reception space (EA) forming at least one unclosed loop and adapted to be supplied with refrigerated air by a supply duct (CA) communicating with the cold loop (BF).

Description

Holder (s): PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA Société anonyme.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA Public limited company.

FR 3,064,950 - A1

RECEPTION DEVICE WITH SPIRAL REFRIGERATION DUCT SUPPLIED BY AIR REFRIGERATED BY

A VEHICLE HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION.

A reception device (DA) is intended to equip a vehicle (V) comprising a heating / air conditioning installation (IC) intended to supply treated air to a passenger compartment (H) and comprising a cold loop (BF) suitable for cooling the air to be treated. This reception device (DA) comprises a box (BD) provided with an internal face (Fl) delimiting a reception space (EA), capable of at least partially accommodating at least one object and comprising an electric heating circuit ( CE), and provided with a refrigeration duct (CR) surrounding the reception space (EA) by forming at least one unclosed loop suitable for being supplied with refrigerated air by a communicating supply duct (CA) with the cold loop (BF).

i

RECEPTION DEVICE WITH SPIRAL REFRIGERATION DUCT SUPPLIED WITH REFRIGERATED AIR BY A VEHICLE HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

The invention relates to reception devices which are intended to equip vehicles and suitable for at least partially accommodating at least one object.

Certain vehicles include at least one reception device, such as for example a cup holder (s) or a glove box, comprising a box, provided with an internal face delimiting a reception space suitable for at least partially accommodating the at least one object, and comprising an electric heating circuit intended to heat the air contained in this reception space, when a passenger so desires. This electric heating circuit generally includes, as described in patent document DE 20 2004 003776, resistive elements which are capable of producing calories when supplied with current, and which are installed on the internal face of the housing.

The main drawback of this type of reception device lies in the fact that it can only offer heating of the air contained in the space delimited by its housing, but no refrigeration of this air.

The invention therefore aims in particular to remedy the aforementioned drawback.

To this end, it notably proposes a reception device, comprising a housing provided with an internal face delimiting a reception space suitable for at least partially accommodating at least one object and comprising at least one electrical heating circuit, and intended for equip a vehicle comprising a heating / air conditioning installation intended to supply treated air to a passenger compartment and comprising a cold loop suitable for cooling the air to be treated.

This reception device is characterized by the fact that the internal face of the housing is provided with at least one refrigeration duct surrounding the reception space by forming at least one unclosed loop suitable for being supplied with air cooled by a supply duct which communicates with the cold loop.

Thanks to this refrigeration duct which is in direct contact with the air 5 present in the housing and which is traversed by refrigerated air (and therefore which is not likely to pose a problem in the event of piercing), it is now possible to refrigerate the objects contained in the case, or to heat these objects, according to the wish of a passenger of the vehicle.

The reception device according to the invention may include other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- The internal face of the box can be provided with the electric heating circuit;

> the refrigeration duct may be at least partially projecting from i5 the internal face of the housing. In this case, the electrical heating circuit may include at least one resistive element locally matching the shape of the refrigeration duct;

• the resistive element can be flexible or rigid;

• at least one resistive element can be joined perpendicularly

0 to at least one loop of the refrigeration duct;

- It can also include a temperature sensor installed in the reception space of the box and suitable for providing measurements of the temperature of this reception space;

- The box can constitute a cup holder (s) suitable for being installed inside the passenger compartment or a glove box suitable for communicating with the passenger compartment.

The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, and comprising a passenger compartment and a heating / air conditioning installation suitable for supplying treated air to the passenger compartment and comprising a

0 cold loop comprising an evaporator capable of cooling the air to be treated.

This vehicle is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one reception device of the type presented above, and that its heating / air conditioning installation comprises a supply duct communicating with the cold loop downstream of the evaporator and with the refrigeration duct of the receiving device to supply it with refrigerated air.

For example, the heating / air conditioning installation can also comprise a pulser with variable air flow rate and installed between two parts of the supply duct.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings, in which:

îo - FIG. 1 diagrammatically and functionally illustrates a vehicle comprising an exemplary embodiment of a heating / air conditioning installation suitable for supplying treated air to a passenger compartment and an exemplary embodiment of a reception device according to the invention, and

- Figure 2 schematically and functionally illustrates, in a perspective view, an embodiment of a reception device according to the invention.

The purpose of the invention is in particular to provide a DA heating and cooling reception device intended to at least partially accommodate at least one object and to be coupled to a heating / air conditioning installation IC

0 fitted to a vehicle V comprising at least one cockpit H.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of nonlimiting example, that vehicle V is of the automobile type. This is for example a car. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any type of vehicle, land, sea (or river), or air, as long as it includes at least one passenger compartment.

There is schematically and functionally represented in FIG. 1 an example of vehicle V comprising a passenger compartment H, an embodiment of a heating / air conditioning installation IC and an embodiment of a reception device DA according to the invention .

0 In the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reception device DA is a cup holder installed (or intended to be installed) inside the passenger compartment H, for example in a central console or under an armrest installed between front seats or in a side door. But in an alternative embodiment, the DA reception device could be a glove box which communicates with the passenger compartment H, possibly via a door.

The IC installation (heating / air conditioning) is installed here in the CO engine compartment of vehicle V and is intended to supply the passenger compartment H with treated air. It notably includes a first blower P1, a cold loop (or air conditioning loop) BF, a supply duct CA, a supply flap VA, a hot loop (or heating loop) BC, a mixer flap VM , distribution shutters Vj, and a calculator CS comprising MCT control means.

The CS computer manages the IC installation.

The first blower P1 is supplied with air from outside the passenger compartment H and / or air from the interior of the passenger compartment H (or recirculated (or recycled) air) by the supply flap (or air inlet) VA. The outside air comes from a first supply duct C1, and the recirculated air comes from the passenger compartment H via a second supply duct C2. The air flow supplied by the first blower P1 depends on the power level which has been automatically calculated by the CS computer (and more precisely by its

0 MCT control means), or else chosen (and possibly programmed) by a passenger of vehicle V by means of a control member which is installed in the cockpit H, generally in the dashboard.

The position of the supply flap VA, and therefore the proportions of outside air and recirculated air which supply the installation IC (and in particular its first blower P1), is / are controlled by the computer CS (and more precisely by its MCT control means).

The cold loop BF is supplied with air by the first blower P1 via a CD conduit. It (BF) notably includes an EV evaporator (through which the air (to be treated) which comes from the first blower P1), a compressor CP with

0 variable displacement, as well as a condenser and a circuit in which a refrigerant circulates and which is coupled to the EV evaporator, the CP compressor and the condenser.

The EV evaporator and the CP compressor are suitable together for cooling the air to be supplied supplied by the first blower P1.

The displacement of the compressor CP is controlled by the control means MCT. It sets the temperature inside the EV evaporator. As illustrated, the latter (EV) can, for example, include a first temperature sensor CT1 responsible for measuring its internal temperature and for transmitting its temperature measurements to the computer CS.

The output of the evaporator EV is coupled to a conduit CD 'which here supplies, on the one hand, a mixing chamber CM having a first input whose access is controlled by the mixing flap VM, and, on the other On the other hand, the hot loop BC whose access is controlled by the mixing flap VM and the output feeds a second input to the mixing chamber CM.

The hot loop BC includes heating means MCH intended to heat the air which comes (here) from the evaporator EV and which is intended for the passenger compartment H of the vehicle V, possibly after mixing with air less present in the CM mixing chamber.

The mixing chamber CM is connected to conduits which are here intended to supply distribution outlets Sk placed in the passenger compartment H of vehicle V (and here four in number (k = 1 to 4)). Access to these conduits is controlled by the distribution shutters Vj (here two in number (j

0 = 1 or 2), but there could be more, for example three or four).

The mixing shutter VM is intended to control the distribution of the air, which is supplied by the supply shutter VA (and which here has passed through the evaporator EV), between the mixing chamber CM and the heating means MCH . It therefore makes it possible to mix (or mix) in a controlled manner part of the air which has passed through the cold loop BF (possibly in operation) and the air which has passed through the hot loop BC. Its position depends on the operating mode of the IC installation.

The operating mode of the IC installation, as regards the heating and air conditioning of the passenger compartment H, is chosen by a passenger from the

0 vehicle V or by the CS computer (possibly depending on the choice made by a passenger in vehicle V).

As appears better in FIG. 2, a reception device DA, according to the invention, comprises a box BD, at least one electrical circuit of β

CE heating, and at least one CR refrigeration duct.

The BD box includes an internal face F1 which delimits a reception space EA suitable for at least partially accommodating at least one object.

The (each) electrical heating circuit CE is secured to the BD housing. In the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, the (each) electric heating circuit CE is secured to the internal face Fl of the housing BD. But in alternative embodiments, the (each) electric heating circuit CE could be secured to the external face FE of the housing BD or else embedded in the mass of the wall of the housing BD (between the external faces FE and internal Fl) .

The internal face F1 of the housing BD is moreover provided with at least one refrigeration duct CR which surrounds the reception space EA by forming at least one unclosed loop BC and which is suitable for being supplied with refrigerated air (arrows F1 and F2 of FIG. 2) by a supply line AC of the installation IC which communicates with the cold loop BF.

Here, the term "non-closed loop" means a loop which does not close on itself like a ring. This results from the fact that the (each) refrigeration duct CR comprises an inlet through which it receives refrigerated air produced by the cold loop BF (arrows F1 and F2 of the

0 Figure 2) and at least one outlet through which the refrigerated air received exits outwards (arrows F3 in Figure 2), preferably on the side of the external face FE.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that it is advantageous for the (each) refrigeration duct CR to comprise several unclosed loops BC which extend each other, in order to increase the surface area for the exchange of calories with air and objects present in the EA reception area, or in other words distribute the refrigeration effect by a kind of “cyclonic” effect. In this case, the (each) CR refrigeration duct has a spiral or helical shape, not

0 necessarily circular since its shape depends on the shape of the internal face F1.

Since the BD unit now has at least one electrical heating circuit CE and at least one refrigeration duct CR, a passenger in vehicle V can therefore choose either the heating mode or the refrigeration mode for the objects which are at least partially housed in the EA reception area.

It will also be noted, as illustrated in FIG. 1, that in order to be supplied with refrigerated air by the evaporator EV, the supply duct CA of the installation IC communicates with the cold loop BF downstream of the evaporator EV (here in the CD 'duct upstream of the VM mixing shutter).

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, that the refrigeration duct CR may be at least partially projecting from the internal face F1 of the housing BD. In this case, when, as illustrated without limitation, the internal face Fl of the housing BD is provided with an electric heating circuit CE, the latter (CE) may comprise at least one resistive element ER which locally matches the shape of the conduit of salient CR refrigeration.

Each ER resistive element, taking the form of a protruding CR refrigeration duct, can be flexible or rigid. Flexibility is advantageous because it allows the resistive element ER to be pressed more tightly against the associated CR refrigeration duct, and therefore can allow

0 to optimize the connection of the resistive element ER against the associated CR refrigeration duct, for example by gluing.

Furthermore, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, at least one resistive element ER, conforming to the shape of a protruding refrigeration duct CR, can be secured perpendicularly to at least one loop BC of the associated refrigeration duct CR . In the example illustrated, two resistive elements ER of the same electrical heating circuit CE are joined perpendicularly to several loops BC of the associated refrigeration duct CR. But there could be more than two ER resistive elements installed in this way, for example three or four.

0 In the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reception space EA, delimited by the internal face F1 of the housing BD, comprises two housings L1 and L2 each suitable for receiving a can, a bottle, or a goblet (or glass). It includes for this purpose radial PC wedging pieces, and possibly mounted for rotation by being pushed inward by a return spring (or return) RR (as illustrated in Figure 2). But it could only include one accommodation. Furthermore, in this example, each housing Lj (j = 1 or 2) is surrounded, in a lower part, by its own refrigeration duct CR of spiral (or helical) shape and with which is associated an electric heating circuit CE comprising two resistive elements ER installed in a substantially vertical direction. In this case, the two electrical heating circuits CE of the two housings Lj are two sub-parts of the same circuit and therefore operate simultaneously. Likewise, the two CR refrigeration ducts are supplied with refrigerated air via respectively two inputs which communicate with a main input which is connected to one end of a single AC supply duct.

It will be noted that the resistive elements ER are here installed on the "vertical" part of the internal face F1, which includes the refrigeration conduits

CR. However, at least one resistive element ER can be installed on the part of the internal face F1 which defines a housing bottom Lj.

It will also be noted that at least one resistive element ER could be installed between two loops BC of the associated refrigeration duct CR, or else

0 on a part of a loop BC of the associated CR refrigeration duct, or else on a sub-portion of the vertical part of the internal face F1 which is located above the outlet of the associated CR refrigeration duct.

It will also be noted that the (each) refrigeration duct CR preferably forms an integral part of the housing BD and more precisely of its vertical wall delimiting its reception space EA. In this case, the (each) refrigeration duct CR is produced at the same time as the housing BD, during a molding operation of a plastic material offering very good thermal conduction. But the (each) CR refrigeration duct could be an added part, preferably on the internal face F1 of the wall

0 vertical of the BD box which delimits the EA reception space.

It will also be noted that in order to precisely control the temperature of the reception space EA, it is particularly advantageous, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, that the installation IC comprises a second blower P2 with variable air flow and installed between two parts of the AC supply conduit. In this case, a first part of the supply duct CA comprises a first end which communicates with the cold loop BF downstream of the evaporator EV (here in the duct CD 'upstream of the mixing flap VM), and a second end opposite its first end and supplying an input of the second blower P2. A second part of the supply duct CA includes a first end coupled to an outlet of the second blower P2, and a second end opposite its first end and coupled to an inlet of the housing BD to supply its reception space EA with air refrigerated (arrows F1 and F2).

The control means MCT are then responsible for controlling the displacement of the compressor CP and the air flow which is delivered by the second blower P2, in order to supply each refrigeration duct CR with refrigerated air having a temperature and a flow which are chosen as a function of an i5 temperature setpoint selected by a passenger of vehicle V, of an estimate of the temperature of the reception area EA and of the air flow supplied by the first blower P1.

By controlling the air flow delivered by the second blower P2 and the displacement of the compressor CP, we can indeed control the

0 temperature of the reception area EA, whatever the operating level of the air conditioning in the passenger compartment H. Indeed, even in the presence of a temperate climate outside the vehicle V, the temperature can be adjusted displacement of the compressor CP in order to supply each refrigeration duct CR with air having a cold or very cold temperature.

It is important to note that the selected temperature setpoint is not necessarily a value. It may indeed be a temperature selected from several predefined by the vehicle manufacturer V and called, for example, "minimum temperature", "average temperature" and "maximum temperature".

0 It will also be noted that the reception device DA can, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, include a second temperature sensor CT2 installed in the reception space EA of the housing BD ίο and suitable for providing the means MCT control the estimated temperature of this EA reception area. It will be understood that in the presence of such an option, the estimate of the temperature of the EA reception space is a real measurement. Alternatively, in the absence of a second temperature sensor CT2, the temperature of the reception space EA could be estimated by calculation, for example as a function of the air temperature measured by the first temperature sensor temperature CT1 and of the air flow supplied by the second blower P2.

Several modes of control (or regulation) of the temperature in the EA reception space can be implemented by the control means îo MCT.

By way of example, the control means MCT may be suitable for controlling the displacement of the compressor CP and the air flow delivered by the second blower P2 as a function of a difference between the temperature setpoint and the estimate of the temperature of the reception area EA, of the air flow supplied by the first blower P1 and of the temperature measurement inside the evaporator EV (supplied by the first temperature sensor CT1).

It will also be noted that the MCT control means can be produced in the form of software modules (or computer modules or else

0 "software"), or a combination of electronic circuits (or "hardware") and software modules.

The invention offers several advantages, including:

- it is not likely to be a problem if a refrigeration duct is pierced since the latter is traversed by refrigerated air and not by a coolant,

- it offers very good quality and efficiency of the heat exchange between the refrigerated air and the object to be refrigerated because of the length and the duration of the path of the refrigerated air around this object,

- it allows to refrigerate or heat at least one object in a way

0 more economical than a reception device equipped with thermoelectric heating / cooling means.

- it allows you to have cold in the reception area, including when the compressor does not operate in cold climates, because the refrigerated air is taken out of the evaporator.

Claims (6)

1. Reception device (DA), comprising a box (BD) provided with an internal face (Fl) delimiting a reception space (EA) suitable for at least partially accommodating at least one object and comprising at least one electric heating circuit (CE), and intended to equip a vehicle (V) comprising a heating / air conditioning installation (IC) intended to supply treated air to a passenger compartment (H) and comprising a cold loop (BF) suitable for cooling îo air to be treated, characterized in that said internal face (F1) of the housing (BD) is provided with at least one refrigeration duct (CR) surrounding said reception space (EA) by forming at least one loop (BC) not closed and suitable for being supplied with refrigerated air by a supply duct (CA) communicating with said cold loop (BF). 15 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said internal face (Fl) of the housing (BD) is provided with said electric heating circuit (CE). 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said refrigeration duct (CR) is at least partially projecting from said 2 0 internal face (Fl) of the housing (BD), and in that said electrical heating circuit (CE) comprises at least one resistive element (ER) locally conforming to the shape of said refrigeration duct (CR). 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said resistive element (ER) is flexible. 5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said resistive element (ER) is rigid. 6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one resistive element (ER) is secured perpendicularly to at least one loop (BC) of said refrigeration duct (CR). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a temperature sensor (CT2) installed in said reception space (EA) and suitable for providing measurements of the temperature of said space. host (EA). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said housing (BD) constitutes a cup holder (s) suitable for being installed inside said passenger compartment (H) or a glove box suitable for communicating with said passenger compartment (H). 5 9. Vehicle (V) comprising a passenger compartment (H) and a heating / air conditioning installation (IC) suitable for supplying treated air to said passenger compartment (H) and comprising a cold loop (BF) comprising an evaporator (EV) suitable for cooling the air to be treated, characterized in that it comprises at least one reception device (DA) according to one of the preceding claims, and in that the said heating / air conditioning installation (IC) comprises a duct supply (CA) communicating with said cold loop (BF) downstream of said evaporator (EV) and with the refrigeration duct (CR) of said receiving device (DA) to supply it with refrigerated air. 10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said 15 heating / air conditioning installation (IC) further comprises a blower (P2) with variable air flow and installed between two parts of said supply duct (CA). 1/2